Track tool



J. L. TIDWELL.

' TRACK TOOL Aug. 17,1948.

Filed Aug. 1.3, 1947 mvv um,

wel Nw/U Patented ug. 17z 1948 iS'T-ATEIS 1 fQFl'f'ICIEI 7 12,447,216 -i yTRACK Toon .John L. Tidwell, Homedalaldaho A Application :August 1s, 1947,serialnarzesss 1 The present invention relates to track tools and it consists in* the '.combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts herein described -and fclaimed.

V"visi'on'of a novelscalewhich maybe incorporated 'into a device *of 'theharacter kset forth.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a track tool which while inexpensive to manufacture and si-mple in its operation, is nevertheless eflcient and effective in its use.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from -a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of an embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof.

Generally there is provided a tool for placing ballast beneath the ties of a railroad track and including an elongated pan having a plurality of steps upon its upper side and provided with a scale at its forward end with which to measure the height of ballast needed and a scale upon its side for measuring the depth of ballast necessary to fill in the space beneath the tie. A framework is provided with operating handles and a ram which is normally spring-pressed in a forward direction but which may be forced back- Ward when the apparatus is thrust beneath the tie and which then causes a quick retraction of the pan from the tie when the force of the thrust is expended.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, there is shown therein a track tool having 'an elongated pan I 0 which is slightly tapered toward the forward end II thereof. The pan is provided with upright sides I2 and an end wall I3 interconnects the rear ends of the sides I2. The upper face of the pan is provided with a plurality of steps I4.

Adjacent the forward end I I of the pan, one

side I2 is provided with a linear scale I5 and y to one of the sides, at a point adjacent the rear thereof, there is alxed an upwardly extending arm I6 having a linear scale I1' thereon.

A framework I8 consisting, preferably of a single piece of metal, is aixed to the rear of 4f Claims. (0191044131) having a dependant arm 22. A"brace'f2j3 `interconnects Athe 'bracket vrportion v'2|' Iand :the lower portion ofthe frame rs. l f i A ram `is providedandcons'ists of'a horizontal shaft'i24 'reciprocally'mountediinthe' verticakportion *2.0 and 'the 'arm The shaft `2'4 carries a detent `2'5at its forward end. I'Centrally loftlre arm 122 *and "vertical portion 2fl the ."shaft is threaded as vindicated at "2'j1fan`d a nut '28 is `rthreaded thereon 'and :a washer' 29 zis mounted next to the nutuponitsrear side, *A-'compression spring 30 surrounds the shaft between the vertical portion 20 and the washer 29 and is adapted to urge the shaft in a forward direction.

A thrust handle 3I is affixed at the rear of the bracket 2| by means of rivets 32 or the like and a guiding handle 33 is carried by an upright bracket 34 likewise afliXed adjacent the forward end of the bracket.

A detent 35 is pivotally mounted to the arm 22 as indicated at 36 and is provided with a forked free end 31. A latch member 38 having a handle 39 is pivotally connected to the bracket 34.

In operation, it will be apparent that a railroad tie 40 having a rail 4I thereon may first be lifted by means of a pick or jacks and that thereafter the scale I5, while the pan is held in a verticalposition may be used to determine the height of ballast 42 necessary to fill in the space formed by the lifting of the track. The pan is then filled with ballast to the level needed, the scale I1 now being used to make this measurement.

The pan is then thrust beneath the tie 40 using the handles 3l and 33, the steps I4 preventing the ballast from sliding rearwardly during this operation. The forward thrust of the pan will bring the head 26 of the ram against the tie 40 causing the same to move rearwardly against the action of the spring 30. When the force of the thrust is expended, which will be immediately, the spring will react to again assume its normal position. This will cause the pan to automatically be removed with a violent motion from lbeneath the tie. Through inertia the ballast 42 will remain in position and the steps I4 will offer littleV resistance as they are inclined upwardly and for- Wardly.

If desired, the detent 35 may be dropped into position with its forked head 31 upon the shaft 24. In such position, the head 26 of the ram will be prevented from moving rearwardly and the 3 ram may now be used to impart blows upon the tie 40 to dislodge any ballast still remaining in the pan. This is especially effective where the track must be raised from one to six inches, as the solid impact throws the ballast to the center of the track.

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many minor modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the character described compris-A ing an elongated pan, a framework associated with the pan, a thrust handle carried .by .the framework, a guide handle carried by the framework, a ram carried by said framework and adapted to engage a railroad tie when thepan` is placed thereunder said ram comprising a horizontal shaft reciprocally mounted in said frame- Work, a head for said shaft and a spring adapted to urge said shaft in a `direction toward the open end of said pan. Y

2. A device of the character described comprising an elongated pan, a framework associated with the pan, a thrust handle carried by the framework, a guide handle carried by the framework, a ram carried rby said framework and adapted to engage a railroad tie when the pan is placed thereunder said ram comprising a horizontal shaft reciprocally mounted in said framework, a head for said shaft, `a spring adapted t urge said shaft in a direction toward the open end 4 of said pan and a detent adapted to engage said head whereby to render the spring inoperative.

3. A device of the character described comprising an elongated pan, a framework associated with the pan, a thrust handle carried by the framework, a guide handle carried by the framework, a ram carried by said framework and adapted to engage a railroad tie when'the pan is placed thereunder said ram comprising a horizontal shaft reciprocally mounted in said framework, a head for said shaft, a spring adapted to l urge said shaft in a direction toward the open end of said pan, a detent adapted to engage said head whereby to render the spring inoperative, and a latch to hold said detent out of engagement with said head.

4. Adevice as defined in claim 1 wherein the 'upper face of the pan is provided with a series of stepped portions extending downwardly and rearwardly.

JOI-IN L. TIDWELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNTTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,353,990 Blair July 18, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 24,067 Great Britain Nov. 14, 1896 499,127 France Jan, 31, 1920 

